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It will be a first in Utah tonight when a Jedi reverend will officiate at a wedding in West Valley.
It turns out Jedi-ism is a real religion, and West Valley's Steve Ford is a bona fide reverend, legally authorized to marry his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law. The wedding itself is more or less traditional with the bride in a gown, the groom in a suit and Ford in a suit too, but with a light sabre clipped to his belt.
"Catholics carry crucifixes, and we carry sabres," Ford said.
The bride, Candace Forbes, says she isn't necessarily a Star Wars fanatic, but she is honored that her brother-in-law can marry them. She also likes the non-denominational approach.
Ford says Jedi-ism has actually been around for centuries. He says George Lucas basically gave it a name and logic. He says Jedi-ism is non-denominational and accepts all and any religion.
Ford himself will get married next year in what he calls a full Jedi ceremony, complete with robes and a "union candle."
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com